first set is phenomenal. lots of great bobby/jerry moments, can hear keith and his moog sounds so dope. wish i could hear his keys better. it seems auds you get more keys, less organ and vice/versa with sbds. great crowd tonight too, love to hear them loving new material and getting stoked as the band gets hotter every night. anyways, also everyone is in top form vocally. bobby and donna fucking crush llr (all time?) and their vocals together all night. estimated is fat and best of tour this far. also wow bobby, phil and keith are just choppin up the fattest grooves all night. bertha, tmns llr, scarlet, and sugar mag are all new top fav performances. scarlet fire is strong tonight, very pretty, groovy, interesting and tight transition. i can forgive the few lyric slips (esp this is 5th? fire ever so far) because theyre just such excellent improvisers and pros about it and recover and the performance doesnt suffer. also theres some interesting changes lyrically. this is a phenomenal performance by the grateful dead and the best night of tour so far.

down to New Haven from Gardner , Mass. attending college an blew off an exam to go down. Had my priorities all set. Copped some 4 Way Orange Sunshine and popped when we got down there. Scene was electric with smiles and happy neighbors. Show was an absolute blast. Melted away as show progressed. I am still smiling with goosebump as I type. Older than dirt an my senses are still in tack. Aaah man. one of the screaming meme'z on tape. What a Flash Back.. enjoy the audio. Neighbors weir Farr Out. Band killed it. see u up in Boston.. TY JA for puting up

I got on the bus 3 years after this and loved my 150+ shows, mostly in the 1980s. But it just takes a quick listen from time to this and other May 1977 shows to remember this was the absolute PEAK for our favorite band. Just sublime all the way through, and the sound quality puts it over the top and off the hook! We are so lucky for GD - and this wonderful Archive - any other fan base have it so good?

P.S. Not sure why the poster below doesn’t like Lazy Lightning, this one is awesome like the rest of the show!

I have to add to this list of people who praise the Peggy-O in this show. Oh my God. I've listened to this version hundreds of times over the years (probably 12 years since I first heard) and every single time I get chills as Jerry (et al) unleashes pure f***ing brilliance during the solo/jam portion. This jam is what made me fall head over heels in love with the Grateful Dead and Jerry's incredibly unique style and phrasing. This jam is a prime example of what makes the Dead so goddamned special. It's not super long, but it's extremely well executed.

The rest of the show is killer as well... This is May '77 after all. We'll, except for Lazy Lightning... Still can't get behind that one.

Great show in a great week, though I can't stand LLR and Lazy Lightning in general or in this show. And the Fire is...weird. Weird but good, except that Jerry BUTCHERS the lyrics. VERY exciting St. Stephen.

Thank you Betty Cantor and Rob Eaton!

Great show with great sound from the classic month of May '77. I would agree with others that the Peggy-O can't be topped. Jerry before the 1986 health problems playing through the changes, anything his mind could create, he could give to us. So glad to have this one "In The Vault"

SSDD does not get noted when played as partt of sugarmag it is only noted when removed from the body of sugar mgs. this is standard and has been since tape trading has been around. this is even noted in some issues of dead base. As for the show amazing as is every may 1977 Dead show. Not my favorite era but tough one to beat.

IMO this show as a whole is kind of overrated; there are better shows from May '77 such as 5/13, 5/18, or 5/26 that are comparatively overlooked. Still, this show has two must hear performances in Sugaree and St. Stephen. The Sugaree, though not the legend of 5/19/77 (probably the best ever) is one of the most beautiful and emotive performances of the year. And the lengthy St. Steve is a total rocker, peaking with a shredding climax from Jerry that strongly suggests Truckin', but instead heads back to the verse before segueing into a nice Sugar Mag. Fantastic.

This Peggy-O is killing me.

This show was excellent for me because I hooked up with friends from NY - and heh what about that escalator NH Coliseum had and how about driving down the spirals to get out of the parking lot? The Coliseum had bad acoustics due to the ceiling but we could tell the band was in the pocket. Listening to this version here is truly remarkable and can't wait to listen to the other shows in the next week. Was this the New Haven show where there was a banner on stage that said "Free Keith Richard" due to his arrest in Canada?

Why isn't the Sunshine Daydream portion of SM indicated?!?!?!?!

I count on the reviews as to which show to listen to, being a new deadhead. Lovin the bass. Superb Peggy-o.Keep writing the reviews.Peace

An excellent show that is always overlooked because of the shows that followed. I love this version of Sugaree. Its May. Its 1977. You really cant go wrong, but if its possible, this show is underrated by comparision

they did slow down this night and it was in your face...i do remember that guy, I figured everyone else was strapped in, top 10 show for me, this show is the Grateful Dead experience, 5/5 to 5/11 is quite the week....enjoy

(revisit :) I remember during the Sugaree that there was a lone dancer front row center and everyone else was seatted down up there, anyone else remember that?! My 1st show at the age of 17 now more than a third of a century ago! I fell asleep in the 2nd set and missed the St. Stephen :o Must have been the southern comfort and the smokin oilers that everyone kept passing my way!

Can anyone with any musical background/intelligence tell me what's going on with this Bertha??? It sounds like it's a much slower tempo, possibly different key ... and I LOVE it. Blew me away first time I listened to it after hearing so many Bertha's that sound pretty much the same throughout the band's tenure. Thanks.

Nothing like a top-notch Peggy-O, as noted by so many other posters. Is this the best? Perhaps, but on a par is 2 days down the road, 5/7/77 in Boston Garden. The difference is subtle. On 5/7, the significant counterpoint to Jerry’s guitar (my opinion, of course) is Keith’s piano, especially at the end of the tune. On 5/5, Bob’s guitar is higher in the mix than Keith’s piano. Consequently, based simply on preference, my vote is for the 5/5 version, though they’re both gems. And great, great Sugaree, Scarlet/Fire and others this night. Superb guitar work and seamless blend among all the boys, vocally and instrumentally. Fantastic night! Definitely a 5 star show. Peace.

This show is truly outstanding! Its the spring of 1977 and the boys are showing what they are made of from start to finish on 5/5/77.
First set highlights include one of the nice long Sugarees, Music Never Stopped with a crazy jam ending the first set and Peggy-O with Jerry in fine voice.
The second set opens with a ripping Bertha and from there goes right into the meat of the show with Estimated into a beautiful Scarlet-Fire and then the climax of the show with St.Stephen. The jam in it is incredible. 5/5/77 might not be one of the most popular for the month of May but the St.Stephen and Peggy-O make this a must listen!

It sounds scripted because there was almost nothing the band didn't do right during this period....like Bird or Jordan when they were in their groove. Every shot went in and it looked so easy. I love these 1977 concerts. Sometimes there are other nights from a few years earlier that I prefer on any given night. For all New Haven doesn't give you it's still a 5 star performance. Perhaps not quite as exquisite as a few of the other shows during that period. I have no doubt, however, that if you were there you would have walked out saying "now that was great."

This copy is absolutely beautiful. Thank you, Rob, and long live DBX! The nanosecond blip in Sugaree (13:08) is almost inaudible. The 'unknown' version is a close second to my ears. In addition to the dropouts already mentioned in the Wallwork version, the channels are also reversed until 0:47 of Sugaree. Drop-out at 6:20 - 6:28 of (tuning after) Good Lovin' and splice at 2:01 of Sugar Magnolia occur on all SBDs available.

this actually sounds like an off night, not nearly as impressive as nights to follow with exception of peggy-o. I think buffalo is superior as is 4/22/77 for the song, But in my opinion labeling those two as better than this has much to do with how keith played, adding texture. Here on 5/5 jerry's playin sounds exceptional, he seems to be in a groove with the travis bean. Most everything else of the show is safe or off beat and uninteresting to me. consider the scarlet fire is quite similar to barton hall, only not as good, same goes for estimated, better heard from the 18th of may and later,

5/8 is often accused of sounding scripted and studioesque, I'd argue this is even more stale, I guess because there are no surprises on this night, it is exactly what is wrong with 77 dead, amidst so many other rights, including 6/9/77 5/8/77 5/9/77

How do you download this?

can anyone tell me how to download this please?

Perfect sound. Phil's thumping his ass off. This show sometimes slips under the radar but it is awesome. Deadheads check out Ekoostik Hookah. Start with 6-30-07, 10-19-07 & 3-28-08. I think alot of you will like them. Just a little tip from your uncle Lar. I'm here to help you kids.

of 77. Underated show, with plenty of jams for all.This Looks Like Rain is so, so....dripping. It just screams for you to grab your significant other and start fooling around...LOL!! The LL>Supplication is hot also, as good as 5/8 imo. Scarlet>Fire is a barn burner also. Please get a copy of this show and pass it around to every one. They will thank you later on.

Good year, obviously, and strong show. Very well played Scarlet>Fire, but not quite as good as 5/8. Exceptional Peggy-O, as mentioned.

This is a MUST have!!

The '77-'78-era Dead sound system had a very
characteristic sound that does not necessarily,
by any means, carry over faithfully to recordings.
This one does, in spades. I saw my first show
three weeks after this (Lakeland '77, wisely made
a Dick's Pick), and, right now, listening to this
version of 05/05/77, I am transported back to that unique sound for the firs time in a third of
a century. Time travel - or just acid?

There are reasons so many Heads recommend and return to the 77 recordings. Here is a perfect example. Quality and quantity are both 5 stars. Shows from this and surrounding years scream definative sounds from our favorite band. They have so much to offer. Perfect harmonies, Jerry and Bob's interplay and tight thundering bass and drums. Not to leave Keith behind as his sound in this era was the perfect and I say perfect match. This show is what a Grateful Dead Concert IS. Thick lows and off the chart highs. To bad I was 9 years old. Give this one a listen folks.

Maybe I'm biased but 6-12-84 Red Rocks show has the best Scarlet jam ever. Also the sequed into touch of grey is awsome.

Great show and it can be yours. By listening to the show, you have it in your Internet explorer temporary files folder. Right click the internet icon. Click on internet properties, then settings under browsing history. Then click on View Files. There it is! Now drag it to a new folder to be burned to disc or directly to your IPOD and you have it forever. This is for XP. For other OS, you may need to search a bit.

GREAT show.

1977 is probably the funnest year of the Grateful Dead. It proved that the dead were able to find a new sound after their brief hiatus and the band evolved into something masssive. This show is probably one of the best of the year. From start to finish, the boys and gal are on. This proves what '77 was all about: tight, experimental, finding the pocket. From a soaring Sugaree and Peggy-o to an incredible second set. You can't complain when Betty runs the board ;)

My friend there is a way. however if I show people what I found they may close the site just like they stopped speedingarrow that had all the show and "gobs of Garcia". So on this forum I will not show you so the site can still be a resource to all to stream, listen, and discuss the great body of work that has been laid down over the years. By the way this show is 5 stars for sound quality, 5 stars for performance, 5 stars for set list. If it were a 10 star system it would be at least a 9.5.

This is an undiluted Betty Board - with remarkable separation and fidelity. Clear as a bell .... Perhaps the reels are from from Betty's abandoned storage locker of lore.

Also - A remarkably good, undiluted, AUD of 4-23-83 was just posted ... just emerged after 25 years - pristine, right off the cassette.

The Veterans' Memorial Coliseum was demolished a few months back after sitting empty for years... wind blew the dust out over Long Island Sound.

The music has survived it's makers, time, neglect and destruction .... I will cherish it.

roared back up i-91 from the big apple with happy memories of the five nights i'd just caught and high expecationa for tonight's blow up in new haven. as anyone who's seen the dead knows, it's well-documented that if their airplane goes the wrong way en route to the next show, then the natural consequence is stuff don't work. this means they gotta tune, tune, tune until they've got everything just exactly perfect, don't you know. which is what it takes to make this old barn sound so sweet, particularly down here on the floor.

like every set to-date, all the songs are tight, but the jed stands out for me, as does the lazy lightning jam. there’s a certain laid-back swagger to their playing now, and even though they are playing a relatively small rotation of songs, they are playing them oh so well. both sugaree and MNS have been gaining bigger heads of steam with each playing this tour, and tonight's versions are both exceptional to my ears. i like the fact that both jerry and bob can have a highligh in the same set. a short break, too, is well-deserved.

still fixing the mess the airplane mishap wrought as they tune like hell before bringing on the bertha, but it’s worth the wait. can you say lesh? how ‘bout godchaux? more tuning and then we’re not worrying no more as we get treated to a strong four song run, bobby book-ending tonight’s monster scarlet>fire with yet another awesome ha-na-na-na-hoo estimated and a pig-worthy good love. a solid closing combo (no big jam sequence tonight) with a knotty little nfa-esque jam and a little truckin’ tease(?) before the final verse of st. stephen leads to a standard sugar mag>daydream. a very solid show from start to finish, but not the blow up i expected. tomorrow night in bean town, perhaps?

I just smoked some good weed and don't feel like finishing my review yet.
I need to listen to this some more.....

I love this show, love this show, I LOVE THIS SHOW.

As far as song versions go - one that doesn't get mentioned a lot in these reviews is the Music Never Stopped, which is just sparkling. It is compleletly sharp and boogies end to end.

I have never heard a Peggy-O I prefer.

And the Lazy Lightning->Supplication is just wonderful.

Another thing that doesn't get mentioned is the TREMENDOUS amount of time they take between songs, particuluary during the first set. Did anyone else notice this?

At any rate, this is a gorgeous, slightly under the radar show.

30 years later and I still can't believe I was so privileged to have been witness to such a gem... and I gotta agree with all the
Peggy-O fans... it still brings a chill to my heart.

As a Dead-head from '73 to the sad and bitter, bitter end I toss this observation out there......

I got on the '77 tour bus (okay, it was '76 Corona hatchback wagon) at the Spectrum and rode it up through the Palladium shows. Had I known what was going to happen at Barton Hall I would have done whatever it took to be there. Certainly a great show, in my Top 10, and even those casually associated with the Dead seem to call out 5/8/77 time and again. Sure Scarlet-Fire is an anthem (I think the perfect tempo is what makes this definitive version, but that's my opinion), but the rest of the second set is a beautifully constructed piece of musical art. My question is then, if you take away this Scarlet-Fire what kind of show is it or does this Scarlet-Fire define this show?

Or do we just say "The hell with pointless musings, it was a damn good show no matter which era of GD one likes best?"

Peace to You all.

my dead cup runneth over, so many shows to listen to, not enough time, damn it, no time. ahh well, people are starving, and i have no right to complain as a white boy in america, great show, download it, you won't be disappointed. peace

I get so sick of reading all the anti Donna comments, the Dead were at their best from 72-77
The Keith & Donna years were the most creative & best live shows period!!!!...if you still think Donna can't sing get the pure Jerry from SF 1977
and listen to "Stir it up" & "Don't let go" and finally "Let me roll it" ...the two of them on that night were magic.

One of the Best dead shows on here....

best scarlet>fire ive heard
The end of the 2 min peggy o solo jerry is on fire, but is not as good as the one on Dick Pick 25

This is the best Sugaree ever - it's absolutely ridiculous, gives me chills. The show would be worth that alone, but there are several standout moments here. Peggy O is note for note perfect and one of the most beautiful and tasteful solos I've ever heard Jerry play. Barton Hall (also a great show) gets all the attention, but check this one out. This show smokes, and the top notch SBD quality is the icing on the cake. They were ON this night. Wish it was available for download, but enjoy the stream!

Can anbody get me a copy of this show?My girlfriend at the time moved in with me and we went through a bunch of tapes and came across 5-5-77 New Haven . Not knowing her sister dated a head in the 80's. This was the best sounding tape i ever had. Sugaree is HOT!Thank you Betty!!!

Great sound, very good performance. Definitely worth downloading from the server.

This Peggy-o is above and beyond all others. Jerry shines in the solo. Great show all around...esp. LL Rain and The Music Never Stopped

This is probably the greatest Scarlet Begonias- Fire on the Mountain the Dead ever played! Amazing, sparking, original, daring, spontaneous. Many colors swirl and clash. The rest of the show is top notch of course, natch.

Peggy O was the song going through my head this morning and I went to archive to get a track from one of the shows. I stumbled on this sight which was like stumbling on a gold mine. Nevertheless, Peggy O is magic. I never really appreciated this song until now. That's how it is with a lot of the Dead's songs. Initially some songs don't get noticed but then they grow on me and like the petals of a flower begin to unfold and reveal it's beauty. Thats how it was for me for this song. It's interesting that the captain's name in this ballad is William because Jerry's maternal grandfather's name was Bill and he was a Norwegian ship captain. Betcha didn't know that. Hence, the ship of fools ballad and Jerry's predilection with Peggy O. Read the book he wrote just prior to his death in 1995 for this and other seminal information about dear sweet Jerry.

He lives on with all of you in all of his music. If you would just let yourself drift in spirit he is always there for you.

real nice feel here, great beginning/sugaree-so much more soul than in some of the later years

The SBD is still available for download -get it while you can. Excellent set list, but the sound is warbly on that download - probably sounds better on the Archive's stream.

Another great show typical of the 77 era..Check out Garcias vocals in the beginning of Fire and in the middle...WOW...SPEEDBALL CITY.......His guitar doesnt lose a lick.....

Wow, this really is a good show. Jerry's solo in Peggy O, and all of the standards are just perfect. A highlight is the hot jam in the middle of St. Stephan: the Dead doing what the Dead do best. The pure musicianship of the show demostrates that these guys are craftsmen. The recording sound and balance is primo.

I don't know how anyone can give this a 4 just because they liked Barton better. Compare this show to the hundreds of other shows here at Archive. Surely this one is in the top 20 percent. I'd say much higher.

First of all, for those of you who do not know, this is THE month of 1977. You can find at least eight to ten shows in the month of May that could become one of your all time favorite Grateful Dead concert recordings. This is one of those shows, my friends.
Secondly, the sound of this BBD reel is top notch. You can crank it UP and play it over and over and over and still come back for more.
Third reason to download: set list and performance of key songs. While there is always room to argue which Scarlet~Fire is the best ever, there's a reason why the powers that be put this Scarlet~Fire as filler on the 02-26 Swing Auditorium show you probably already downloaded from this blessed cornucopia of music files, the Archive. Because it's freaking good, that's why! But this show offers you more than just a few stand-out songs. The entire line-up is full of great versions of fan favorites besides Scar~Fire: Sugaree, Peggy-O, LL Rain, Music Never Stopped, Estimated, Sugar Mag, etc. Here is a prime example of the saying 'the whole is greater than the sum of the parts'. You put all of these performances together and you have a fantastic show. It's called synergy and the Dead wrote the book on it. Get this and find out for yourself.

Since I discovered this site, I have been downloading several concerts a week from many different eras of the band. I have had this show for about two weeks and listened to it repeatedly. It is very apparent to me that Jerry and Bobby are completely in tune with one another throughout and I feel that it contains the most insipiring versions of Sugaree and Looks Like Rain that these ears have ever heard. I highly recomend this show, it is sheer pleasure.

The Peggy-O-holic hit this one right the head. If someone wants to know what's so great about the Grateful Dead play this track for them. Great show, great sound..load this one now...

Sound quality is fabulous.

I am a dyed in the wool Peggy-O aficiando. I've got Peggy-O fever, and I know I'm not the only one out there who's got Peggymylitis. I love this one, great guitar. One critique though is that Jerry's solo ends pretty abruptly and he forgets to bring back the vocals. But a top 5'er nonetheless.

I've been a fair-weather fan of Looks Like Rain, but this one really is over the top. I can't believe I'm saying this, but Donna is fantastic on that track.

This one's got something for everyone--very tight. Phat Phil. Donna not annoying (see above).

the second set here is ridiculous...sound quality is also amazing..worth the download for sure.

I've got to agree that this is an all-timer Sugaree. I think that the 6-7-77 Peggy-O narrowly beats this version, but its stellar none-the-less. I can't think of another show that I've heard that has Bob and Jerry right in the same moment from begining to end, including anytime throughout this torrid run. Both are SIZZLIN! The only slight disappointment is that Fire never really hits the stratosphere. The NFA Jam before the last verse of Stephen will lay waste to your grey matter. Betty had all the right buttons pushed on this mix as well.

Jerry sparkles during Peggy-O, his voice and guitar are simply marvelous! Worth the d/l for that alone! LLRain is also a personal highlight.

Get this show now, stop reading my silly review and click d/l!

I have to say that this show is so awesome. I'm a recent DeadHead and I keep discovering the wonder that is this band. I have a soft spot for Sugaree not sure why but i love that song and this version just keeps on going to places i would have NEVER seen coming. Hence my wonder with the Dead, no mind numbing repetition of the "hits" but a constant and beautiful progession of creativity. D/L this you'll be happy!!

Peace:Skippy

In the grand scheme Cornell gets most of the pub, but this show is every bit as strong as any other you will hear from 5/77. Peggy-O gets no better than this. Whole first set is amost beyond description. And I too like this Scarlet?Fire more than Cornell.

Typifies the fliud sound of 5/77, and the excellent guitar work of a one Jerry Garcia.
A show worthy of the 5 rating and a must for anyone's collection.

Obviously this stretch of May had some amazing planetary alignment that resulted in some of the sweetest Grateful Dead shows ever, IMO. I just heard the "Looks Like Rain" on this show and really had to add this review because I can honestly say that I've never heard one with more emotion or biter-sweetness. Jerry's solo almost had me in tears for a second and other than one very minor Bobby wail at the end, the vocals were on key, soulful and conveying deep emotion the whole time. This is a killer show, and this song is truly a gem. Keep truckin'...

Surprised nobody has mentioned these. Articulate, fluid, and rocked out. Garcia shows his complete mastery of Chuck Berry licks here a la 1-7-78 Promised Land and 2-3-78 JBGoode. You can also hear in the St. Stephen jam some ideas for Not Fade Away he brings to fruition in 1-7-78. Very strong stuff.

For darkstarpat....if your looking for another Sugaree, try 6/21/80....I think you'll enjoy it.

This show has suddenly become one of my absolute favorites. The quality is delicious and sounds great on my ipod, in my car and on the home stereo. Sugaree gives me chills, definitely amongst the best i've heard. I too love the peggy-o and TMNS. Great grooves on tennessee jed and scarlet. Truly the dead at their best with a real high quality recording.

This show rips. I like this scarlet/fire more than cornell.The peggy-o is the best ever along with the sugaree. I don't understand why some people are negative about it. Also listen to bobby's vocal on supplication.Killer.

In the grand scheme of all Dead shows, I guess this can be considered a solid show, but given the month and year, it is definitely lacking in comparison to its relatives. The first set is definitely amazing, the sugaree is top-notch and the peggy-o is gorgeous, but when it comes to the second set, which is a typical 77 set, I would definitely reccomend other shows before this one. The Fire is remedial, and the St. Stephen doesn't hold a candle to other 77 versions. Don't get me wrong, it is a good show, but not a GREAT show, which is characteristic of the year.

This Sugaree is probably the most powerful I've ever heard (along with Dicks Picks Vol. 3), if any one knows any others that could match it, please let me know.
The Peggy-O is rips at your heart, the Music Never Stopped grooves, and the jam from Scarlet>Fire is just nasty. Definitely check this show out.

I have loved this version of Peggy-O since I found an old tape version of this show at least 10 years ago. The whole show is good. A good show to space out to. I definately recommend this show. A must have!

A solid performance, while I disagree with the Peggy-O being considered the best as the solo is no where near as emotional or well played as that from the 9th, the show stands out as a great '77 performance. The lack of real varied and original setlists in '77 were rare, the playing was tight and emotional.

Agree that this is the best Peggy-O I know of. Also great Music Never Stopped. Whole show is good. As good as any May 1977. I also recommend the 5-13-77 in Chicago despite some horrid tape noise near end of second set (some of which has been fixed).

Thanks to tenbrooks for pointing this out. Yes, an epic >2 min solo, wonderful. Some other great/long ones in October-December, but lordy, this one cooks.

Overall a good show (with a great Scarlet->Fire), but yes, a bit overshadowed by it's neighborhood.

as much as i enjoyed the first set, and the hot Music to close it out, the second set followed traditional form and really smoked. Can I take the entire 1977 run with me when i leave this wonderful earth?

This is the finest Peggy-o you'll ever hear. Worth the d/l for this alone.